Set sail throughout the Black Sea on this cultural 14-day small ship cruise. Taste the mouthwatering foods of the region, witness traditional dance, and wander the impressive hilly cities of the region. Begin in Istanbul, Turkey, and voyage to the exciting port cities of Bartin, Samsun, Sochi, Yalta, and more.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to the spectacular Pera Palace Hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at your leisure before attending a welcome dinner and briefing at the hotel.
Spend the morning exploring Istanbul and board the Variety Voyager in the late afternoon. Settle in to your cabin as the ship sets sail towards the Black Sea. Cross the scenic Bosporus, a strait which runs through the center of Istanbul and forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia.
Dock in Bartin and drive to the harbor town of Amasra. Admire the panoramic views of the coastline and rugged nearby islands as you walk the cobblestone streets. Visit the local market or museum, or enjoy a scenic hike around the area.
Arrive in the port of Samsun and drive inland to Amasya, the former capital of the kingdom of Pontus. The town, which features red-roofed dwellings and 19th-century Ottoman-era wooden houses, is set along the dramatic Yesilirmak River Gorge. Explore photogenic winding alleyways, the ethnographic museum, and a medrese, or Islamic seminary. Enjoy a feast of regional Turkish cuisine for lunch.
Ancient Greeks settled in Trabzon along a branch of the Silk Road from Asia. Take a morning drive into the country-side to see the 13th and 14th century Byzantine Sumela Monastery, which is perched dramatically on a cliff face in the monastic tradition of Greek Orthodox architecture. Detailed frescoes, etched in brilliant blues, reds, and golds, cover the interior. In the afternoon, explore the 13th-century Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and spend some free time wandering through the modern city of Trabzon.
Dock in the charming port of Batumi and visit the colorful farmers market or take a walk through the lovely Botanical Gardens. Savor regional delicacies and Georgian wines during lunch before enjoying a folk performance of traditional music and energetic dances. In the afternoon, board a coach and take a short drive to the ruins of Gonio Fortress, which dates back to the first century A.D.
This Russian mineral-spring resort community is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. In the morning, explore the town and visit Stalin's dacha. Well-hidden among trees on the outskirts of town, this house was a favorite summer retreat for the infamous leader.
Yalta is a seaside resort on the Crimean Peninsula, long a favored spot for Russian and Ukrainian elite who constructed palatial homes here. Visit the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its intricate Byzantine adornment, and take a scenic coastal drive to the elegant Renaissance-style Livadia Palace, which served as the summer home of Tsar Nicholas II and his family.
Disembark in the military port of Sevastopol for a tour of the submarine tunnels at Balaklava and the Panorama Museum, which depicts scenes from the Crimean War. After lunch, visit the nearby World Heritage Site of ancient Chersonesus, once a splendid Greek seaside colony.
Odessa's European-Russian heritage is evident in its cobblestone streets and shady plane trees. Explore the compact central district's spectacular architecture, which includes monuments, statuary, parks, and ornate 19th-century gems such as the Opera House and Gagarin's Palace. Visit one of the country's oldest archaeological museums, which houses an extensive collection of Ukrainian artifacts , and enjoy free time in the afternoon.
Board a local boat and explore the wetland habitat of the Danube, looking for over 200 species of birds including pygmy cormorants, purple herons, white-tailed eagles, and Dalmatian pelicans. Back on board, sample local vodka and Romanian snacks.
Histria was Romania's earliest-founded city and originally flourished as an extraordinary trading center, but was later abandoned and swallowed by alluvial deposits and sand. The site has been under excavation since its rediscovery in 1914. Walk through fascinating seaside ruins and tour the museum before exploring Constanta. In the late afternoon, enjoy wine tasting and a cultural performance on board.
The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek colony known as Odessos. Disembark in the morning and visit Varna's archaeological museum, which chronologically traces the progress of human society in the region over the course of millennia. The museum also includes some of the oldest worked gold in the world. Explore the extensive remains of the 2nd-century Roman thermae, or public baths, which make up the largest Roman ruins in Bulgaria.
Day 14: Istanbul, Turkey / Disembark
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Istanbul and disembark. Transfer to the airport for your continued journeys.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$12,980
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Category 1
Range from 129-145 sq. ft. and feature two portholes. Either two twin beds or a double bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed en suite bathroom, closet, flat-screen TV, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
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Category 2
Range from 129-167 sq. ft. and feature either two portholes or two windows. Either two twin beds or a double bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed en suite bathroom, closet, flat-screen TV, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
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Category 3
Range from 145-216 sq. ft. and feature two windows. Either two twin beds or a double bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed en suite bathroom, closet, flat-screen TV, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
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Category 4
Range from 227-248 sq. ft. and feature two windows. Either two twin beds or a double bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed en suite bathroom, closet, flat-screen TV, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
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Owner
The Owner's Suite is 292 sq. ft and features 4 windows. Either two twin beds or a double bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed en suite bathroom, closet, flat-screen TV, and individually controlled air-conditioning.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
